News

John David Gillespie

Mon, 05/21/2018 - 13:34Staff Reports

Veteran

John David Gillespie, age 93, widower of Madaline Sutherland Gillespie, was called home to the Lord on May 19, 2018. He died peacefully at Greenville Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Gillespie was born on November 7, 1924, in Greenville, SC, a son of the late John Gregg Gillespie and Cornelia Patton Gillespie, and Gertrude Miller Gillespie.

He was a devoted husband, son, brother, father, grandfather and friend who enjoyed gospel music, golf, humor and traveling. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps having served in World War II and the Korean War where he was the crew chief of then Lt. John Glenn.

Mr. Gillespie was a proud graduate of Furman University earning a B.A. in History and a M.A. in Education. Education was a driving force in his life as he was a retired teacher of 30 years at Parker High School, where he taught Government and Economics. He was also the golf coach and was elected Senior Class Advisor for over 20 years. His passion was found in serving as a church music leader, alongside of his late wife, in multiple Baptist churches including Slater, New Pisgah, Abner Creek, Grace, Pleasant Grove, Northwood, Friendship and Judson.

Surviving are his loving family, his son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Louise Gillespie, of Greer; and his three grandchildren, Matthew (Mandy), David, and Katie Gillespie.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Rosa Madaline Sutherland Gillespie, as well as siblings, Kathleen Lewis, Ruby Stewart, Georgeann Gillespie, Daniel Gillespie, Kenneth Gillespie, Merion Gillespie, Niegel Gillespie; and great-great aunt by marriage, Lucinda Hiott.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Greer First Baptist Church, conducted by Dr. Doug Mize and Dr. Mike Runion. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery in Greer, SC, with military honors.